Jump In!
by Shadra Strickland
It's a sunny spring day and the sound of jump ropes hitting the ground floats through the wind. "Jump in!" shout the children. And after a day of fun when the street lights start to flicker it's time to jump out!
Reading Tips for Story Explorers
Find a comfortable space to read together
Slow down and enjoy the illustrations
Ask and answer questions together
Make reading part of your routine - bedtime is a great time for reading
Use these prompts to encourage deeper thinking with your children:
"Tell me more, why do you think that?"
"How do you know that?"
"Interesting, did you notice anything else?"
Phonemic Awareness
When introducing the book, share the title and notice these phonemic elements:
The word “Jump” in the title begins with the letter Jj. This letter says /j/, like jelly and jam. Point to the letter and say the sound together: /j/, /j/, /j/. Brainstorm other words that begin with the sound /j/ with your child (jacket, jail, jaguar).
Ask the children to say the word after you. Show them the cover of the book and have them read the word out loud with you as you point under each word.
Vocabulary
Asphalt: A sticky black substance like tar
Bait: Something that attracts
Hesitate: To stop or pause because of not feeling sure
Squeal: A fairly long, loud shrill sound or cry
Rejoice: To be full of joy or great pleasure
Flicker: To burn or shine in an unsteady way
Questions to Discuss
At the beginning of the book, the author describes the weather by writing, “Asphalt sizzles.” What season does this book take place? Which pictures indicate that?
Imagine that you were with the kids in the book. What would you be doing? Would you like to try to jump rope? Why or why not?
How do you think the characters feel when they are trying something new? Tell your adult about a time that you have tried something new. How did you feel before you tried it? And after?
Who do you think Ms. Mabel is?
Who else joins the double dutch game?
The author writes: “It is much more fun when there are friends.” What is something you enjoy doing with friends? Why do friends make things more fun?
Why does the author end the book with “Jump Out”? How do you think the kids feel about going inside? What do you think they’re going to do next?
Let's Play
This activity will help your child learn to retell stories and sequence events in books.
The story takes place on a bright, sunshiny day and ends once the sun has gone down. Work with your child to identify different things they do during the day time and at night. Use paper to cut squares of paper. Write each activity on a square (school, breakfast, getting dressed, going to sleep, etc). Put these activities in two categories: day and night.
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